ico 




J J J t 



TSDMSON & COMPANY 
PUBLISHERS' CHICAGO 



DENISON'S ACTING PLAYS. 

A Partial List of Successful and .Popular Plays. Lar^e Cataloiiue Free. 
Price 15 Cents Each, Postpaid, Unless Different Price is Given. 



DRAMAS. COMEDIES. ENTER- 
TAINMENTS. Etc. 

M. F. 

After the Game, 2 acts, 1% 

hrs (25c) 1 9 

All a Mistake, 3 acts, 2 hrs. (25c) 4 4 
All That Glitters Is Not Gold, 

2 acts, 2 hrs 6 3 

Altar of Riches', 4 acts, 2J^ hrs. 

(25c) S 5 

American Hustler, 4 acts, 2]/i 

hrs (25c) 7 4 

Arabian Nights, '3 acts, 2 hrs... 4 5 

Bank Cashier, 4 acts, 2 hrs. (25c) 8 4 

Black Heifer, 3 acts, 2 hrs. (25c) 9 3 

Bonnybell, 1 hr (25c).Optnl. 

Brookdale Farm, 4 acts, 2J4 hrs. 

(25c) 7 3 

Brother Josiah, 3 acts, 2 h.(25c) 7 4 

Busy Liar, 3 acts, 2% hrs. (25c) 7 4 

Caste, 3 acts, 2^ hrs 5 3 

Corner Drug Store, 1 hr.(25c)17 14 
Cricket on the Hearth, 3 acts, 

1 ^ hrs 7 8 

Danger Signal, 2 acts, 2 hrs... 7 4 
Daughter of the Desert, 4 acts, 

2'A hrs (25c) 6 4 

Down in Dixie, 4 acts, 2yi hrs. 

(2Sc) , .... 8 4 

East Lynne, 5 acts, 2% hrs 8 7 

Editor-in-Chief, 1 hr (25c) 10 

Elma, IH hrs (25c) Optnl. 

Enchanted Wood, 1^ h.(35c) Optnl. 

Eulalia, 1 yi hrs (25c) Optnl. 

Face at the Window, 3 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 4 4 

From Sumter to Appomattox, 4 

acts, 2^ hrs (25c) 6 2 

Fun on the Podunk Limited, 

li/i hrs (25c) 9 14 

IJandy Andy (Irish) , 2 acts, 1 ^4 h. 8 2 
Heiress of Hoetown, 3 acts, 2 

hrs (2Sc) 8 4 

High School Freshman, 3 acts, 

2 h '.....(250) 12 

Home, 3 acts, 2 hrs 4 3 

Honor of a Cowboy, 4 acts, 2J4 

hrs (25c) 13; 4 

Iron Hand, 4 acts, 2 hrs.. (25c) 5« 4 
It's All in the Pay Streak, i,' 

acts, 1 54 hrs (25c) 4 3 

Jarville Junction, l^^ hrs.(25c)14 17 
Jedediah Tudkins, J. P., 4 acts, 

21^ hrs (25c) 7 5 

Kingdom of Heart's Content, 3 

acts, 254 hrs (25c) 6 12 

Light Brigade, 40 min (25c) 10 

Little Buckshot, 3 acts, 2^4 hrs. 

(25c) 7 4 

Lodge of Kye Tyes, 1 hr.(25c)13 
Lonelyville Social Club, 3 acts, '' 

iy2 hrs (25c) 10 



Louva, the Pauper, 5 acts, 2 h. . 9 4 
Man from Borneo, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 

(25c) 5 2 

Man from Nevada, 4 acts, 2^ 

hrs (25c) 9 S 

Mirandy's Minstrels. . . . (25c) Optnl. 

New Woman, 3 acts, 1 hr 3 6 

Not Such a Fool as He Looks, 

3 acts, 2 hrs 5 3 

Odds with the Enemy, 4 acts, 

13/i hrs 7 4 

Old Mkid's Club, lyi hrs. (25c) 2 16 
Old School at Hick'ry Holler, 

1% hrs (25c)12 9 

Only Daughter, 3 acts, 1J4 hrs. 5 2 
On the Little Big Horn, 4 acts, 

214 hrs (25c) 10 4 

Our Boys, 3 acts, 2 hrs 6 4 

Out in the Streets, 3 acts, 1 hr. 6 4 

Pet of Parson's Ranch, 5 acts, 2 h. 9 2 

School Ma'am, 4 acts, IM hrs.. 6 5 

Scrap of Paper, 3 acts, 2 hrs.. 6 6 

Seth Greenback, 4 acts, 1 }4 hrs. 7 3 

Soldier of Fortune, 5 acts, 2^/^ h. 8 3 

Solon Shingle, 2 acts, II/2 hrs.. 7 2 

Sweethearts, 2 acts, 35 min.... 2 2 
Ten Nights in a Barroom, 5 

acts 2 hrs 7 4 

Third Degree, 40 min (25c) 12 

Those Dreadful Twins, . 3 acts, 

2 hrs (25c) 6 4 

Ticket-of -Leave Man, 4 acts, 2^ 

hrs 8 3 

Tony, The Convict, 5 acts, 25^ 

hrs (25c) 7 4 

Topp's Twins, 4 acts, 2 h.. (25c) 6 4 

Trip to Storyland, 1}4 hrs. (25c) 17 23 

Uncle Josh, 4 acts, 2% hrs. (25c) 8 3 

Under the Laurels, 5 acts, 2 hrs. 6 4 
Under the Spell, 4 acts, 2 "4 

hrs (25c) 7 3 

Yankee Detective, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 8 3 

FARCES. COMEDIETTAS. Etc. 

April Fools, 30 min 3 

Assessor, The, 10 min 3 2 

Aunt Matilda's Birthday Party, 

35 min. . .• 11 

Baby Show at Pineville, 20 min. 19 

Bad Job, 30 min 3 2 

Betsy Baker, 45 min 2 2 

Billy's Chorus Girl, 25 min... 2 3 

Billy's Mishap, 20 min 2 3 

Borrowed Luncheon, 20 min.. 5 

Borrowing Trouble, 20 min.... 3 S 

Box and Cox, 35 min 2 1 

Cabman No. 93, 40 min 2 2 

Case Against Casey, 40 min... 23 
Convention of Papas, 25 min... 7 

Country Justice. 15 min 8 

Cow that Kicked Chicago, 20 m. 3 2 



T. S. DENISON & COMPANY. 154 W. Randolph St.. Chicago 



THE FATAL NECKLACE 



A BURLESQUE MELODRAMA 
IN ONE ACT 



BY 

JOSEPH U. HARRIS 

AND 

HAROLD B. ALLEN 



CHICAGO 

T. S, DENISON & COMPANY 

Publishers 



THE FATAL NECKLACE 



CHARACTERS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE. 

The Heroine "I am Innocent" 

The Villain "Curse Him" 

The Hero "Unhand her, Coivard" 

The Countess "Sixteen Years Ago" 

The Villainess . "Strike her" 



Time — Consult your zvatch. 

Place — A safe distance ffvhi kfre: 

Time of Playing — Tzventy-tive Minutes. 



First produced under the direction of the authors at the 
Y. M. C. A., Watertown, N. Y., January 1, 1912. 



Notice. — Production of tbjs -play is free to amateurs, but the sole 
professional rights are resei'vcd by the Publishers 



COPYRIGHT, 1912, BY EBEN H. NORRIS. 
2 

0)CI.D 305G8 



THE FATAL NECKLACE. 



COSTUMES. 



The Heroine — Cheap black dress, white apron, yellow 
wig with braids. Her duster should be extremely small and 
her locket immense. 

The Villain — Black riding suit and yellow riding boots ; 
carries a riding crop. (The boots and crop are very neces- 
sary.) Should also smoke a cigarette. The "bludgeon" 
should, like The Heroine's locket, be of an enormous size. 
It is almost needless to mention that The Villain's hair is 
black and that he wears a moustache. 

The Hero — He may, if desired, wear livery, but this is 
not at all necessary. Gray trousers with belt and white shirt 
turned in at the neck will serve very effectively. Natural 
hair. The pistol should be as large as can be procured, the 
longer the more effective. 

The Countess — Black silk or satin dress with train. 
White powdered hair with ornament of black ostrich plumes 
which bob to and fro with her every movement. She should 
carry a lorgnette. 

The Villainess — Red messaline, with long sweeping 
train and preferably with low neck and short sleeves. Long 
black gloves. Black wig with diamond ornament. Hands 
loaded with rings and a bracelet on each arm. Black jet ear- 
rings. Her revolver should be of the conventional size and 
shape used everywhere in the society play. Be sure that it 
gleams. The necklace may vary in appearance according 
to the wishes of the actors, but the case containing it should 
be of very ordinary and modest appearance. The effect pro- 
duced by its appearance when it is shown must be a sur- 
prise. Of course its size must be infinitely out of propor- 
tion and its material grotesque. A string of Christmas tree 
ornaments will serve the purpose quite well. 

PROPERTIES. 

Small palm, furniture, etc., as per description of stage 
settings. Crop, bread knife, large bludgeon and powder in 
white paper and cup for Villain. A very large and long 



4 THE FATAL NECKLACE 

pistol for Hero. Enormous locket and small duster for 
Heroine. Lorgnette for Countess. Bright, gleaming pistol, 
many jewels and a flashy necklace in a very plain case for 
Villainess. 

DESCRIPTION OF STAGE SETTING. 

A drawing room. This setting may be as simple or as 
elaborate as is commensurate with the convenience of the 
performers. The following pieces of furniture are essential : 
A palm, as small a one as can be procured, at the back of 
the stage to the left of the center ; a chair near the front 
of the stage, also to the left of the center ; a small stand 
with a wine decanter and glasses — front center. A couch 
at the back of the stage near the right entrance. There 
should be a central entrance at back and one on each side, 
although where a platform does not permit of a back en- 
trance it may be dispensed with. Red plush is preferable 
for the furniture, and a number of cheap statues adds to the 
atmosphere of cheapness, which is what- the performers 
should endeavor to convey. 

Where desired, the setting may be altogether dispensed 
with and the piece given on any platform provided only" 
with the essential articles of furniture enumerated above. 

STAGE DIRECTIONS. 

R. means right of the stage ; C, center ; R. C, right cen- 
ter ; L., left ; R. D., right door ; L. D., left door, etc. ; 1 E., 
first entrance ; U . E., upper entrance, etc. ; D. F., door in 
flat or scene running across the back of the stage ; 1 G., first 
groove, etc. The actor is supposed to be facing the audience. 



THE FATAL NECKLACE 



Scene : A drawing room. See description of Stage Set- 
ting. Discovered, the Heroine in the dress of a maid dust- 
ing the furniture. 

The Villain enters R. He wears riding boots and car- 
ries a crop. 

Villain. Ah ! Here you are, my pretty one. At last I 
have a chance to speak with you alone. 

Heroine. Alas, sir, why should you wish to speak with 
me ? I am only a poor housemaid and you, you are heir 
to an earldom. 

Villain. Tell me, how would you like to be a lady, 
to wear silks and satins, to ride in a carriage, with servants 
to wait upon you and fulfill your every wish? How would 
you like to be a countess? 

Heroine, Ah, no, sir; such things are not for me. I 
am only a poor serving maid. But I was not, always one. 
I can remember back to a fair day when I was small. It 
must have been when I was a child, and there was a fair 
lady with golden curls and jewels about her neck — dia- 
monds. 

Villain. Bah ! You are dreaming. I would talk of the 
things that are real. You are a housemaid and I am the 
heir to an earldom. How would you like to share that 
earldom with me? 

Heroine. Ah, sir, you are jesting. 

Villain. I was never more in earnest. Come ; one kiss 
from those pretty lips to seal the bargain. 

Heroine. Stop ! Do not touch me. Why do you think 
that I do not know what you are, humble though I am ? To 
yield to you would be to become wife in name only and to 
lead an existence more horrible than death itself. No, I 
would not marry you for twenty earldoms. 



6 THE FATAL NECKLACE. 

Villain. By heaven, but you are beautiful when you 
are angry. I shall have my kiss nevertheless. 

Heroine. Do not dare to approach me. I will scream 
for assistance. 

Villain. Scream. Who is there that would hear you. 
Scream, 1 say! I will teach you to scorn my kisses. {He 
pursues her about the room.) 

Heroine. Help ! 

Villain. I will teach you to despise my position. You 
vixen! {He seizes her.) 

Heroine. Oh ! 

The Hero enters R. and grasping the Villain by the 
coat coUar throws him to the ground. 

Hero. Lie there, you dog! 

Heroine. John! {Slie falls into the Hero's arms.) 

Villain {picking himself up). Curse you; you shall pay 
for this. There is another day coming. 

Hero. Yes, and on any one, if I find you insulting this 
poor defenceless girl, I will thrash you within an inch of 
your life. Now, go ! {He turns to the Heroine. The Vil- 
lain draws a bread knife from his coat and makes a pass 
at him. The Hero turns at the crucial moment, presenting 
a pistol.) Drop it! {The Villain does so.) Now go! 

Villain. Bah! {Exit, R.) 

Hero {to the Heroine, at C). I hate to think of you 
here alone in this man's power. His temper is so ungov- 
eranble. Is there no one to whom you could go? 

Heroine, No one. No one. I am all alone in the world. 
All that I have is my honor. 

Hero. Poor girl. I, too, am alone in the world. My 
father was killed fighting the Persians in A'enezuela and 
my mother died before I was born. 

Heroine {after a pause). And they're both dead? 

Hero {deeply affected). Yes, that is what the under- 
taker told me. 

Heroine. And you haven't any parents? 



THE FATAL NECKLACE 7 

Hero (mournfully). No, the only two I ever had are 
gone. 

Heroine {as if imparting secret information). Then 
you're an orphan. 

Hero. What? Are you sure? {Horrified astonishment.) 

Heroine. Yes, for I am one, too. I think I had a mother 
once. She left me this. {Takes enormous locket from her 
dress.) I can remember back when there was a lady with 
golden curls and diamonds about her neck, and I am sure 
this is she. Is she not beautiful? 

Hero {looking at the locket). Ah ! What is this? {Leaves 
Heroine and crosses to R. Aside.) There is a coat of arms 
upon it and it is like the one the countess has upon her 
carriage. If they should be the same, then she is the 
countess' daughter, I must ascertain the truth at once. 
{Aloud, returning.) Will you trust this to my care for a 
little while? I will return it to you safely or die in the 
attempt. 

Heroine. I would trust you with anything — except my 
pay envelope. 

Hero. Dearest ! ( They embrace. He disengages him- 
self and crosses to R. again.) Now I must go and learn 
my fate. If she is a countess I cannot marry her. I will 
have to bid her an eternal farewell. {Exit R.) 

Heroine. How noble he is. When he looks at me his 
eyes seem to burn me through and through. I know not 
what this strange feeling is. Perhaps I have appendicitis. 

Enter the Countess, L. 

Countess. A word with you, my girl. I demand an 
explanation of your outrageous conduct directed towards 
my son and heir. 

Heroine. I know not what you speak, madame. I swear 
I am innocent. 

Countess (laughing bitterly). What! will you add impu- 
dence to deceit? Who has made eyes at my son? Who has 
enticed him from his mother's breast, weaned him from his 
mother's love? (Advancing on Heroine ivith each ques- 



8 THE FATAL NECKLACE. 

Hon. Latter retreats, terrified.) Who has followed him, 
tempted him, and who would ruin him ? You ! You ! You ! 
{Shakes her lorgnette.) 

Heroine. Your words bewilder me. I do not under- 
stand you. You wrong me, madame. Be pitiful. I am a 
poor orphan with neither father nor mother. 

Countess, Bah ! Do you think I am moved by your 
tears? Leave my presence, vile corrupter of innocent chil- 
dren. You and I will have a reckoning- later on — later on. 
(Exit the Heroine in tears, R. Countess approaches 
chair, L. center, and sits in meditation.) Sixteen years ago 
I was a happy mother, because I had a golden haired child. 
How sweetly the birds sang on the morning of her birth. 
It seemed as though a new song had sprung up in my 
heart. But one day a great change came. (Rising.) The 
housemaid mislaid the baby. A rigid search was instituted. 
The housemaid was instantly discharged, but we found 
her not. (Paces the floor.) If she is not dead, then she is 
living, and if she is not living, then (stops, arrested by the 
new thought) there is a slight possibility that she is dead. 
The late count passed away still ig-nor-ant of his daugh- 
ter's loss, calling upon her name in his delirium tremens. 
Since then I have had no one — no one in whom I might 
confide my sorrow. (At the conclusion of the speech she 
sinks into the chair sobbing.) 

The Villainess enters from C. door at back. 

ViLLAiNESS. Ah! What is the trouble, my dear aunt? 
(Aside.) I wonder if I cannot wrest from her some infor- 
mation about that necklace? 

Countess. Alas, my dear Berthalda, I am weighed 
. down by the burden of impending fate. Some great shadow 
overpowers me, like a toddling child on the brink of a 
precipice. 

ViLLAiNESS. What ! Despondent this morning, when 
the birds are singing so gaily? See how in the garden the 
sun (Countess rises to see, gasing off L. Villainess 
stands behind her) shines on the sparkling waters of the 



THE FATAL NECKLACE. 9 

fountain until they gleam like the diamonds I have seen 
you wear about your neck, dear aunt. (Aside.) If all goes 
well, who knows but what they may yet gleam elsewhere? 

Countess, Ah, what need have I of gems, now that my 
golden hair is turning white. They lie deep in my jewel 
case, like the thoughts within my heart. (Sobbing.) 

ViLLAiNESS (helping her to a chair). Why, my dear 
aunt, you are quite overcome. (Aside). Deep in her jewel 
case. Ah, ha. 

Th'e Villain enters from L., carrying a bludgeon behind 
him. 

ViLLAiNESS. Archibald, your mother is indisposed. 

Villain (rushing to the Countess' side). Mother. 
(Kissing her hand.) Ah, that I might be able to do more 
to brighten these sad days of your declining life. (Aside 
to ViLLAiNESS.) Now is our time. What is our first step? 

Here the Heroine enters R. and conceals herself behind 
palm on L. All aside speeches given in the presence of 
other characters should not be accompanied by any loiver- 
ing of the voice. 

ViLLAiNESS. Once she is out of the way all will be easy. 
I know where the jewels are concealed. They are on her 
dresser. 

Villain. And must I strike her down? 

ViLLAiNESS. Choose between that or ruin. It is her life 
or yours. Choose. 

Villain. Farewell, mother. I am off for the chase. 

Countess. Farewell, my son. , Thy mother's prayers 
are with thee. 

ViLLAiNESS. Now is 3'our time. Curse you, why do 
you delay? Strike her; strike her. (He strikes the Count- 
ess. She falls from the chair.) 

Villain. Be quick. Find the jewels and then our das- 
tardly work is done, and not a witness to our crime. 

Heroine (7vho has been concealed behind palm). I have 
seen your work and I shall expose you. 



lO THE FATAL NECKLACE. 

ViLLAiNESS. I will return with the jewels. Complete 
your work. (Exit C. door at back.) 

Villain (peering around the room). Now I shall be 
rich, and I will free myself of her, curse her, and no one 
will be the wiser. 

Heroine (behind palm). Excepting me, sir; excepting 
me. 

Re-enter the Villmness from back with jewel case. 

ViLLAiNESS. Here are your jewels, Archibald. 

Villain. Ah, 'tis well. (Holding up jezvels tvhich he 
takes from case.) How they gleam. Now the honor of the 
house of Spondulicks will be redeemed and I may escape 
the country. 

ViLLAiNESS. Not without me, not without me, Archi- 
bald. I will follow you to the ends of the earth. I will help 
you to become rich, powerful, great, because I love you. 
I love you, Archibald. Behold me. You have made me 
what I am, and now if you forsake me, if you betray me, 
if you play me false, you shall see me play my trumps, for 
I will kill you. I swear it. (Right hand pointed directly 
upward while she displays revolver in left extended before 
the Villain. The latter, during her speech, having placed 
jewels on stand, rolls a cigarette.) 

Villain (blowing cigarette smoke in her face.) Don't 
be so damned affectionate. 

ViLLAiNESS. Come. We will lay your mother on the 
couch. This must seem another's work. (After a prolonged 
struggle they succeed in carrying the Countess to the 
couch.) 

Villain. I will fasten the blame upon the coachman, 
curse him. He shall pay for his insult to me. (Aside.) I 
will also' get rid of her. Then I will be free. (Aloud.) 
Come, we will pledge each other in a cup of wine. (He 
pours the contents of a white paper into a cup and hands 
it to th-e ViLLAiNESS.) Let us drink to our future happiness. 

Countess (on the couch). Oh! Oh! 

Villain. Curses! She is recovering. (The Heroine 
comes from- behind the palm and changes the glasses.) 



THE FATAL NECKLACE. 11 

Heroine. Now let them drink. He holds the fatal cup. 
(She retires to her place of concealment.) 

ViLLAiNESS {returning to the table). You bade me drink. 
Here is to our love, Archibald. 

Villain. To our love, Berthalda. {They drink.) 

Countess {sitting up). Help! Murder! Police! I have 
been beaten. I feel black and blue all over. How exceed- 
ingly blaek and blue one feels after they have been mur- 
dered.-^ 

Villain. Yes, mother. We arrived just in time to save 
you. Your maid and the coachman had knocked you silly 
and they have fled with your jewels. 

Heroine {coming forzvard). That is a lie. I swear it. 
I saw you strike her, you brute. She stole the jewels. 

Countess. What is this? You tried to kill me? You 
mean things. 

Villain {seising Heroine by the throat). Curse you, 
I will choke those words back into your windpipe. They 
are the last that you shall ever utter. 

ViLLAiNESS. That's right, Archibald. Pinch her. 

Countess. Aly dear niece, you are really cruel. 

Heroine. Help ! 

Hero rushing in C. 

Hero. Unhand her, coward, or I will fill you full of 
lead. 

Villain. You, too? Curse you, I will escape. 

Heroine. You cannot. You have not an hour to- live. 
The poison that you prepared for another you have drunk 
yourself. You are dying. 

Villain. What? O, I am done for. 

ViLLAiNESS. Poison ! {Rushes to table and examines 
glass, throzvs it down). You meant that for me. Curse 
you, Archibald, I hate you. That was a low down* (/era/ 
place) trick. {Bursts into tears.) 

Countess. Oh, this place is worse than (local). I wish 
we had {local organization). 



12 THE FATAL NECKLACE. 

Villain. Oh, the agony. It was the fatal cup. This is 
murder. 

Hero. No, it is not murder. It is justice. 

Villain. Ah, curse you all. I die. (He falls zvrithing 
in agony.) 

. ViLLAiNESS. Archibald, despite what you have done, I 
I love you still. I will follow you. {Starts to go to Villain, 
but retreats cowering on Hero's speech.) 

Hero. Another fate awaits you, vile murderess. Count- 
ess, this woman is not your niece. She is an impostor. And 
this poor, wronged, friendless, innocent girl, this tender 
lamb sacrificed to their wanton cruelty is your long lost 
daughter. The coat of arms on the locket matches that 
upon your coach. Take her to your arms. 

Countess. My child, can you forgive me? 

Heroine. Mother ! 

Hero. I've brought another little lamb into the fold ! 

Villain, Berthalda, I die, I die, I die! 

ViLLAiNESS (rushing to him). Archibald! Dead, dead, 
dead! (Falls on her knees beside the body.) 

Hero. Here, fair lady, are the missing papers. They 
prove that you were truly and positively born. 

Heroine. O, thank you, sir. You have removed a great 
doubt from off my mind. 

Hero. And now I must bid you an eternal farewell. 
You are a lady and I am only a poor coachman. An un- 
bridgeable gulf yawns (all yawn) between us. Farewell, 
forever. 

Heroine. John, you shall not go. I love you. 

Hero. lolanthe ! 

Countess. Stay with us. You shall have my daughter 
for your wife, and I will let you shovel my sidewalks. 

Heroine. My husband! (They embrace.) 

ViLLAiNESS (rising from beside Villain^s body). Fare- 
well, all of you. My heart is broken. I go to follow the 
man I love. Farewell forever. (She Nourishes a pistol, 
. pointing it at her head and in loud voice.) BANG! Archi- 



THE FATAL NECKLACE. 13 

bald, I come. (She falls on the Villain's body.) Forgive 
me, I am guilty. (She dies.) 

Countess. Let us forgive her. She sinned because she 
loved. 

Hero. And now we shall live happy ever after. 

Countess. And you shall have my jewels upon your 
wedding day. Bless you, my children. 

Hero (coming forivard). Ladies and gentlemen: Tomor- 
row night we will play East Lynne. 

Curtain. 

Note. — Curtain call will prove most effective if the cur- 
tain is raised on empty stage and each character appears 
separately until all have entered. 



The Heiress of Hoetown 

By HARRY L. NEWTON AND JOHN PIERRE ROACH. 
Price, 23 Cents 

A rural comedy, 3 acts; 8 m., 4 f. Time, 2 h. Scenes: 2 ex- 
teriors. Characters: Jimmie Blake, a physical culturist. Jack 
Wright, a civil engineer. Ezra Stonyboy, the postmaster. Count 
Picard, waiting at the church. Corporal Cannon, a veteran. White 
Blackstone, dealer in titles. Congressman Drybottle, a power in 
politics. Doolittle Much, constable and proprietor of the village 
hack. Mary Darling, an heiress. Jane Stonyboy, with ideas. Tillie 
Tung, the village pest. 

SYNOPSIS. 

Act I. — Borrowing a screen door. Blackstone, a dealer in titl<^s. 
Mary comes back home. Blackstone wants Jimmie to travel for his 
health. "One hundred thousand dollars as expense money." "No, 
I am going to a strawberry festival and that's worth more to me." 
The lost necklace. The proprietor of the village hack discovers 
something. "She's a fine gal, she is." 

Act II. — The Strawberry Festival. Blackstone schemes a quick 
marriage. A busy time for Doolittle Much. "Search that man. 
Constable!" The necklace is found on the wrong man. "Any man 
caught with no visible means of support can be arrested as a com- 
mon vag." The Count is "pinched." 

Act III. — The siege of Hoetown. The Count works out his fine 
on the highway. "Shark, you're a liar!" The financial panic and 
the loss of Mary's money. The Count and Blackstone get "cold 
feet" and hike for old Broadway. Mary loses her home. "Come 
on, kid, I've got carfare." 

Mirandy's Minstrels 

By SOPHIE HUTH PERKINS, 

Price, 25 Cents 

A Female Minstrel entertainment. A complete ladies' minstrel 
show, full of novel ideas for costumes, finale, etc. Contains new 
jokes, gags, cross-fires, monologues and stump speeches. Ending 
with a most laughable farce, "Mrs. Black's Pink Tea," for 10 
female characters, which is a gem of humor. Those that have 
"put on" female minstrels and know the difficulty of obtaining suit- 
able material, will be delighted with this book. It is highly humor- 
ous, yet refined enough for any audience. 

The Third Decree 

By MAYME RIDDLE BITNEY. 

Price, 23 Cents 

A female burlesque initiation; 12 f. and any number of members. 
Time, about 40 m. Scene: Any lodge room. Characters: Head 
Officer, Instructors, Assistants, Marshal, Doorkeepers, etc. It is 
unique, as it can be used as an initiation for any society or lodge or 
as an entertainment. Brim full of fun and action, yet not too bois- 
terous. Will please all women. 

T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 

154 W. Randolph Street, CHICAGO 



All A Mistake 

! By W. C. PARKER. 

Price, 23 Cents 

Farce-comedy, 3 acts; 4 m., 4 f. Time, about 2 h. Scenes: Easy 
Jo set. Lawn at "Oak Farm" and drawing-room. Characters: 
Capt. Obadiali Skinner, a retired sea captain. Lieut. George Ricii- 
mofid, his nephew, who starts the trouble. Richard Hamilton, a 
country gentleman. Ferdinand Lighthead, who falls in love don- 
cherknow. Nellie Richmond, George's wife. Nellie Huntington, a 
friend. Nellie Skinner, antiquated but still looking for a man. 
Nellie Mclntyre, a servant. 

SYNOPSIS. 

Act I. — The arrival of George and his bride. A friend in need. 
The old maid and her secret. Ferdy in search of a wife. George's 
jealousy. The sudden appearance of a most undesirable party. 
George's quick wit prevents discovery. 

Act II. — The plot thickens. Cornelia in search of her "Romeo." 
The downfall of Ferdy. Richard attempts to try the "soothing 
system" on a lunatic. George has a scheme connected with a fire 
in the furnace and some pitch tar. Richard runs amuck amid gen- 
eral confusion. 

Act III. — The Captain arms himself with a butcher knife and 
plans revenge. Nellie hopelessly insane. The comedy duel. "Ro- 
meo" at last. "Only one Nellie in the world." The unraveling of 
a skein of mystery, and the finish of an exciting day, to find it was 
"All a Mistake." 

A Busy Liar 

By GEORGE TOTTEN SMITH. 

Price, 25 Cents 

Farce-comedy, 3 acts; 7 m., 4 f. Time, 2i/4 h. Scenes: Easy to 
set, 1 exterior, 2 interiors. Characters: Simeon Meeker, who told 
one lie. Judge Quakely. Senator Carrollton. Macbeth, a hot-headed 
Scotchman. Dick, in a matrimonial tangle. William Trott, a re- 
cruit. Job Lotts, another one. Mrs. MacFarland, everybody's 
friend. Tennie, with a mind of her own. Janet, a Scotch lassie. 
Mrs. Early, a young widow. 

SYNOPSIS. 

Act I. — Off to the war. A paternal arrangement of marriage. 
Janet of the Macbeth clan. Some complications. Meeker and the 
Widow. A lapse from truth. Meeker made captain. "You are 
afraid to go." "Afraid? Never!" 

Act II. — In camp. Captain Meeker and strict discipline. The 
Widow, the Judge and the Senator court-martialed. The Widow 
wins. Another lie and more complications. An infuriated Scotch- 
man. "You held her in your arms." "She is my wife." 

Act III. — The ball. "Not military matters, but matrimony." 
"Another of Meeker's fairy stories." The Captain in kilts. "'The 
funniest thing I ever saw." The Widow untangles a tangle of lies. 
A lass for every lad. Peace proclaimed. Meeker remains "at the 
base of supplies." 

T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 

154 W. Randolph Street, CHICAGO 




Denison^s 
Vaudeville Sketches 

Price, 15 Cents Each, Postpaid. 

Nearly all of these ske'tcnes were written for profes< 
sionals and have been given with great success oy vnude* 
ville artists of note. They are essentially dramatic and 
ve'-y funny; up-to-date comedy. They are not recom- 
mended for church entertainments; however, they con- 
tain nothing that will offend, and are all within the 
range of amateurs. 

DOINGS OF A DUDE.— Vaudeville sketch, by Harry L. Newton; 2 m., 1 f. 
Time 20 m. Scene: Simple interior. Maizy Von Billion of athletic tendsn- 
cles is expecting a boxing instructor and has procured Bloody Mike, a prize 
fighter, to " try him out." Percy Montmorency, her sister's ping pong teacher, 
is mistaken for the boxing instructor and has a "trying oat" that Is a sur- 
prise. A whirlwind of fun and action. 

FRESH TIMOTHY HAY.— Vaudeville sketch, by Harry L. Newton; 2 m., 
1 f. Time 20 m. Scene: Simple rural exterior. By terms of a will, Eose 
Lark must nin,rry Reed Bird or forfeit a legacy. Rose and Reed have never 
met and when he arrives Timothy Hay, a fresh farm hand, mistakes him f»r 
Pink Eye Pete, a notorious thief. Ludicrous lines and rapid action. 

OLICKJVIAN. THE GLAZIER.— Vaudeville sketch, by Harry L. Newton 
and A. S. Hoffman; 1 m., 1 f. Time 26 m. Scene: Simple interior. Char- 
lotte Russe, an actress, is scored by a dramatic paper. With "blood in her eye" 
she seeks the critic at the office, finds no one in and smashes a window. Jacob 
Qlickman, a Hebrew glazier, rushes in and is mistaken for the critic. Fun, 
Jokes, gags and action follow with lightning rapidity. A great Jew part. 

THE GODDESS OF LOVE.— Vaudeville sketch, by Harry L. Newton; 1 m., 
1 f. Time 15 m. Scene: Simple exterior. Aphrodite, a Greek goddess, is a 
Btatue in the park. According to tradition a gold ring placed upon her finger 
will bring her to life. Knott Jones, a tramp, who had slept in the park al) 
night, brings her to life. A rare combination of the beautiful and the best of 
comedy. Novel, easy to produce and a great hi*,. 

HEY, RUBEI— Monologue, by Harry L.Newton ; Im. Time 16 m. Reuben 
Spinach from Yapton visits Chicago for the first time. The way he tells of 
the sights and what befell him would make a sphiEX laugh. 

!S IT RAINING?— Vaudeville sketch, by Harry L. Newton; 1 m., 1 f. 
Time 10 m. Otto Swimorebeer, a German, Susan Pairweather, a friend of 
his. This act runs riot with fun, gags, absurdities and comical lines. 

MARRIAGE AND AFTER.— Monologue, by Harry L. Newton and A. S. 
Hoffman; 1 m. Time about 10 m. A laugh every two seconds on a subject 
which appeals to all. Full of local hits. 

ME AND MY DOWN TRODDEN SEX.— Old maid monologue, by Harry L. 
Newton; 1 f. Time 5 m. Polly has lived long enough to gather a few facts 
about men, which are told in the most laughable manner imaginable. 

AN OYSTER STEW.— A rapid-fire talking act, by Harry L. Newton and 
A. S. Hoffman; 2 m. Time 10 m. Dick Tell, a knowing chap. Tom Askit, 
not so wise. This act is filled to overflowing with lightning croes-fires, 
pointed puns and hot retorts. 

PICKLES FOR TWO.— Dutch rapid-fire talking act, by Harry L. Newton 
and A. S. Hoffman; 2 m. Time 15 m. Hans, a German mixer. Gus, another 
one. Unique ludicrous Dutch dialect, interspersed with rib-starting witti- 
cisms. The style of act made famous by Weber and Field. 

THE TROUBLES OF ROZINSKI.— Jew monologu e, by Harry L. Newton 
and A. S. Hoffman; 1 m. Time 15 m. Rozjnski, a buttonhole-maker, is 
forced to join the union and go on a " strike." He has troubles every minute 
that will tickle the ribs of both Labor and Capital. 

WORDS TO THE WISE.— Monologue, by Harry L. Newton; 1 m. Time 
about 15 m. A typical vaudeville talking act, which is fat with funny li/;«ea 
sod rich rare hits that will be remembered and laughed over for weeks. 

T. S. DENISON & COM(»ANY, 154 W. Randolph St.^ Chicago 



DENISON'S ACTING PLAYS. 

Price 15 Cents Each. Postpaid. Unless Different Price Is Given. 



Documentary Evidence, 25 min. 1 1 

Dude in a Cyclone, 20 min.... 4 2 

Family Strike, 20 min 3 3 

First-Class Hotel, 20 min...... 4 

For Love and Honor, 20 min.. 2 1 

Fudge and a Burglar, 15 min.. 5 
Fun in a Photograph Gallery, 

30 min 6 10 

Great Doughnut Corporation, 

30 min 3 5 

Great Medical Dispensary, 30 m. 6 
<ireat Pumpkin Case, 30 min. ..12 

Hans Von Smash, 30 min 4 3 

Hapoy Pair, 25 min 1 1 

I'm Not Mesilf at All, 25 min. 3 2 
Initiating a Granger, 25 min. . 8 

Irish Linen Peddler, 40 min... 3 3 

Is the Editor In? 20 min 4 2 

Kansas Immigrants, 20 min.... 5 1 

Men Not Wanted, 30' min 8 

Mike Donovan's Courtship, 15 m. 1 3 

Mother Goose's Goslings, 30 m. 7 9 

Mrs. Carver's Fancy Ball, 40 m. 4 3 
Mrs. Stubbins' Book Agent, 30 

min 3 2 

My Lord in Livery, 1 hr 4 3 

My Neighbor's Wife, 45 min ... 3 3 

My Turn Next, 45 min 4 3 

My Wife's Relations, 1 hr 4 6 

Not a Man in the House, 40 m. 5 

Obstinate Family, 40 min 3 3 

Only Cold Tea, 20 min 3 3 

Outwitting the Colonel, 25 min. 3 2 

Pair of Lunatics, 20 min 1 1 

Patsy O'Wang, 35 min 4 3 

Pat, the Apothecary, 35 min... 6 2 

Persecuted Dutchman, 30 min. . 6 3 

Regular Fix, 35 min 6 4 

Rough Diamond, 40 min 4 3 

Second Childhood, 15 min 2 2 

Slasher and Crasher, 50 min... 5 2 

Taking Father's Place, 30 min. . 5 3 

Taming a Tiger, 30 min 3 

That Rascal Pat, 30 min 3 2 

Those Red Envelopes, 25 min . 4 4 
Too Much of a Good Thing, 45 

min 3 6 

Treasure from Egypt, 45 min . 4 1 

Turn Him Out, 35 min 3 2 

Two Aunts and a Photo, 20 m. . 4 

Two Bonnycastles, 45 min 3 3 

Two Gentlemen in a Fix, IS m. 2 

Two Ghosts in White, 20 min . . 8 

Two of a Kind, 40 min 2 3 

Uncle Dick's Mistake, 20 min . . 3 2 

Wanted a Correspondent, 45 m. 4 4 

Wanted a Hero, 20 min 1 1 

Which Will He Marry? 20 min. 2 8 

Who Is Who? 40 min 3 2 

Wide Enough for Two, 45 min. S 2 

Wrong Baby, 25 min 8 

Yankee Peddler, 1 hr 7 3 



VAUDEVILLE SKETCHES. K.ON- 
OLOGUES. ETHIOPIAN PLAYS. 

M. F. 

Ax'in' Her Father, 25 min 2 3 

Booster Club of Blackville, 25 m.lO 
Breakfast Food for Two, 20 m. . 1 1 

Cold Finish, 15 min 2 1 

Coon Ci-eek Courtship, 15 min.. 1 1 
Coontown Thirteen Club, 25 m. 14 

Counterfeit Bills, 20 min 1 1 

Doings of a Dude, 20 min 2 1 

Dutch Cocktail, 20 min 2 

Five Minutes from Yell College, 

IS min 2 

For Reform, 20 min 4 

Fresh Timothy Hay, 20 min... 2 1 
Glickman, the Glazier, 25 min. . 1 1 
Handy Andy (Negro), 12 min.. 2 

Her Hero, 20 min... 1 1 

Hey, Rube! 15 min 1 

Home Run, 15 min 1 1 

Hot Air, 25 min 2 1 

Jumbo Jum, 30 min 4 3 

Little Red School House, 20 m. 4 

Love and Lather, 35 min 3 2 

Marriage and After, 10 min. . . 1 
Mischievous Nigger, 25 min... 4 2 

Mistaken Miss, 20 min .1 1 

Mr. and Mrs. Fido, 20 min 1 1 

Mr. Badger's Uppers, 40 min.. 4 2 
One Sweetheart for Two, 20 m. 2 
Oshkosh Next Week, 20 min . . 4 

Oyster Stew, 10 min 2 

Pete Yansen's Gurl's Moder, 10 

min 1 

Pickles for Two, IS min 2 

Pooh Bah of Peacetown, 35 min. 2 2 
Prof. Black's Funnygraph, 15 m. 6 

Recruiting Office, 15 min 2 

Sham Doctor, 10 min 4 2 

Si and I, 15 min 1 

Special Sale, 15 min 2 

Stage Struck Darky, 10 min... 2 1 
Sunny Son of Italy, 15 min... 1 

Time Table, 20 min 1 1 

Tramp and the Actress, 20 min. 1 1 
Troubled by Ghosts, 10 min... 4 
Troubles of Rozinski, 15 min.. 1 
Two Jay Detectives, IS min... 3 

Umbrella Mender, IS min 2 

Uncle Bill at the Vaudeville, IS 

min 1 

Uncle Jeff, 25 min 5 2 

Who Gits de Reward? 30 min.. 5 1 



A ireat number of 

Standard and Amateur Plays 

not found here are listed in 

Denlson's Cataloitue. 



T. S. DENISON & COMPANY. 1S4 W. Randolph SU Chicago 



POPULAR ENTERTAINME 

Price, Illustrated Paper Covers, 25 (_ 




017 198 568 7 



PATRIOTIC 
aLEBMUONS 




IN this Series 
are found 
books touching: 
every feature 
in the enter- 
tainment field. 
Finely made, 
gfood paper, 
clear print and 
each book has 
an attractive 
individual cov- 
er design. 



DIALOGUES 

AH Sorts of Dialoiiues. 

Selected, fine for older pupils. 
Catchy Comic Dialogues. 

New, clever; for young: people. 
Children's Comic Diaioiiues. 

From six to eleven years of age. 
Dialogues from Dickens. 

Thirteen selections. 
The Friday Afternoon Dialoifues. 

50,000 copies sold. 
From Tots to Teens. 

Dialogues and recitations. 
Lively Dialogues. 

For all ages; mostly humorous. 
When the Lessons are Over. 

Dialogues, drills, plays. 
Wide Awake Dialogues. 

Brand new, original, successful. 

SPEAKERS. MONOLOGUES 

Choice Pieces for Little People. 

A child's speaker. 

The Comic Entertainer. 

Recitations, monologues,dialogues. 

Dialect Readiniis. 

Irish, Dutch, Negro, Scotch, etc. 

The Favorite Speaker. 

Choice prose and poetry. 

The Friday Afternoon Speaker. 
For pupils of all ages. 

Humorous Monologues. 
Particularly for ladies. 

Monologues for Younii Folks. 
Clever, humorous, original. 

The Patriotic Speaker. 

Master thoughts of masterminds. 

The Poetical Entertainer. 
For reading or speaking. 

Pomes ov the Peepul. 

Wit, humor, satire; funny poems. 
' Scrap-Book Recitations. 

Choice collections, pathetic, hu- 
morous, descriptive, prose, poe- 
try. 14 Nos., per No. 25c. 



DRILLS 

The Best Drill Book. 

Very popular drills and marches. 
The Favorite Book of Drills. 

Drills that sparkle with originality. 
Little Plays With Drills. 

For children from 6 to 11 years. 
The Surprise Drill Book. 

Fresh, novel, drills and marches. 

SPECIALTIES 

The Boys* Entertainer. 

Monologues, dialogrues, drills. 
Children's Party Book. 

Plans, invitations, decorations, 

games. 
The Days We Celebrate. 

Entertainments for all the holidays. 
Good Things for Christmas. 

Recitations, dialogues, drills. 
The Little Folks, or Work and Play. 

A gem of a book. 
Little Folks' Budget. 

Easy pieces to speak, songs. 
One Hundred Entertainments. 

New parlor diversions, socials. 
Patriotic Celebrations. 

Great variety of material. 
Pranks and Pastimes. 

Parlor games for children. 
Shadow Pictures, Pantomimes. 

Charades, and how to prepare. 
Tableaux and Scenio-Readin^s. 

New and novel; for all ages. 
Twinkling Finders and Swaying 

Figures. For little tots. 
Yuletide Entertainments. 

A choice Christmas collection. 

HAND BOOKS 

The Debater's Handbook. 

Bound only in cloth, 50c. 
Every bod j^'s Letter Writer. 

A handy manual. 
Good Manners. t 

Etiquette in brief form. 
Private Theatricals. 

How to put on plays. 
Social Card Games. 

Complete in brief form. 

MINSTRELS, JOKES 

Black American Joker. 

Minstrels' and end men's gags.. 
A Bundle of Burnt Cork Comedy. 

Monologues , stump speeches,etc. 
Lauifhiand. via the Ha-Ha Route. 

A merry trip for fun tourists. 
Ne^ro Minstrels. 

All about the business. 
The New Jolly Jester. 

Funny s tories, jokes, gags, etc. 

hmtie Illustrated Catalo|{ue Free. 



T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers. 1S4 W. Eandolph St, Chica^ 



